The Witcher 2 Pirated Over 4.5 Million Times, According to Developer

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CD Projekt's latest release, The Witcher 2, released earlier this year and unlike many other PC games, went without DRM. This was great news for gamers since we would not run into an install limit or be required to be online at all times just to play. This also benefitted pirates because they did not have to crack any form of DRM to illegally obtain the game. CD Projekt is an advocate of releasing games without DRM, and it will continue to do so even after the developer's CEO Marcin Iwinski estimates The Witcher 2 was pirated over 4.5 million times. He looked at anecdotal numbers based on concurrent torrent downloads to come up with that number, but says the real numbers could be a lot larger. Iwinski says other developers will not abandon DRM because it covers their butts and will not listen to anyone about dropping DRM. He says consumers can use social media to voice their displeasure about DRM schemes, since it could impact the sales numbers for developers, which is one thing that matters.

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jack_of_java on November 30, 2011 10:54PM "He looked at anecdotal numbers based on concurrent torrent downloads to come up with that number, but says the real numbers could be a lot larger." It could also be a lot lower. I love this part, because a quick look can tell so much about whether the torrent file for the game works or is even the game at all. This also does not mention how many people tried the game, and then went and bought it because they liked it. I still love the fact that people can manipulate numbers to their benefit as they see fit, instead of providing hard evidence to support their claim. I do not advocate piracy, but also do not advocate boasting to false data to support yourself. reply to this

scorpain on December 1, 2011 02:48AM Agreed, there are those who download for a trial, like myself, then buy after a few days, a good game deserves money being splashed on. But then there are those who just really cant afford it at all, so download is the only way. reply to this

ClayMeow on December 1, 2011 12:45PM If CD Projekt was advocating DRM, then I'd agree with you, but they're not, so they have no reason to fudge numbers. That being said, obviously any data gathered from torrent downloads is going to be mere estimations, but to call it "boasting false data to support yourself" is a bit ridiculous since they were and still are against DRM regardless of piracy numbers. reply to this

jack_of_java on December 1, 2011 05:04PM Please look up the definition of anecdotal: an·ec·do·tal/ˌanikˈdōtl/ Adjective: (of an account) Not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research. Characterized by or fond of telling anecdotes. My point is that I don't understand his statements in the article boasting false numbers as per his wording. Is he really trying to say, "Well, we could be getting our product pirated this many times, but we are still against DRM?" The article does not point to this as a conclusion of the CEO's stance on DRM, only that he thinks they are being pirated that much. What exactly is the point? Using social media to discuss displeasure about DRM schemes? Why post a statement about piracy then? Maybe I'm missing something? reply to this

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